This is the final set of bols that that we will
look at. In examining the past weeks, we see that we have learned bols
exclusively on the dayan (Lesson 2) and bols exclusively on the baya (Lesson
3). This lesson will focus on bols that are produced with both dayan and baya
sides being struck. These are called combination
bols.

There are three types of combination bol. Fully resonant bols are bols that are
fully resonant from dayan and baya. Collectively, it is a resonant sound. Partially resonant bols are bols that
have one puri producing resonance while the other puri producing non-resonance.
It is a mixture between a resonant and a non-resonant sound. Finally, nonresonant bols are bols that have the
dayan and baya produce nonresonant bols. Collectively, it is a nonresonant
sound.

FULLY RESONANT BOLS

For resonant bols, the baya bols can vary. Thus,
any resonant baya bol (gha/ga/gin) can be used. For display sake, I included
gha as the representative baya bol.

Dhā

Dhā = Tā +
Ga/Gha/Gin

Dhā, as shown by the above equation is a
combination of striking tā and the open baya bol. This is the most popular
baya bol to exist due to its versatile application in musical compositions.
This is usually considered to be a starting bol or finishing bol for most
rhythmic cycles. Play gha and tā separately. Then play the dhā bol to
hear how it sounds like.

Jhā

Jhā = Ga/Gha/Gin
+ Tā delayed

Jhā is just like a Dhā, in the respect
that gha/ga/gin are used along with tā. However, the tā used for
jhā is slightly delayed. Gha/Ga/Gin is played on the baya, first. A second
after the baya has been struck, the dayan’s head is struck to play the tā
bol. Even though it does not sound uniform as the dhā bol and other bols
we will study, jhā is generally accepted as a fully resonant bol. Click here to listen how
jhā sounds. Then compare this to dhā to hear the difference in the
delayed tā.

PARTIALLY RESONANT

Dhin

Dhin = Ti + Ga/Gha/Gin

Dhin is a very famous partially resonant bol. This
bol is produced by playing ti and an open baya bol. Musical purists will call
this combined bol as “dhi” rather than “dhin,” because there is another bol
“tin” (which have not and won’t study). “Tin” and “open baya” will technically
produce a “dhin” sound. However, for the scope of this course, just remember
that “ti” and “open baya” makes a “dhin” bol. Remember, that dhin is partially
resonant because gha (or open baya sound) is resonant but ti is not. Listen to
ti and gha and listen to dhin together.

Emphasized dayan

In higher pitched musical instruments like tabla
and khol, resonant dayan bols can be emphasized loudly with the help of ka. For
instance, an emphasized tā is ka + tā. When we say the bol, it is
simply pronounced as “tā”, but with more emphasis than the normal tā.
This also applies for nā. When we write it, for conventions sake, we can
use upper-case letters to indicate this sort of emphasis. Hence “ka + tā”
or “ka + nā” yields “Tā” or “Nā” respectively. Remember, this is
only for resonant dayan bols.

FULLY NONRESONANT BOLS

Kat

Kat = Ka + Ti

Kat is a non-resonant bol which is played by ka on
the baya and ti on the dayan. This is like an emphasized dayan, only with the
dayan being non-resonant with ti. Since both of these bols are non-resonant, it
is fair to say that this bols is fully non-resonant.

This is the final page in learning bols. The bols are
the alphabet to the mridanga. We didn’t cover all of the bols that exist, but
we covered just the most important ones. In the next lesson, we will make small
words and phrases.